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Scram scammers!
There are so many services out there to help in the college search process. Services range from helping you get into college to paying for college. Many services are great services but there are others that are out to scam you. There are some great tips on when to not use certain services.
Do not use a service if:
- A fee is charged for a service
- They guarantee their services will work
- There is not a mailing address for their headquarters
- The offer is too good to be true
- You receive notice of being a "finalist" in a competition you didn't enter
Going to college is about learning and empowering yourself. That process starts before you even get to college, so be smart and use good judgment. Listen to your instincts!
If you get scammed be sure to report it to the Better Business Bureau.
- City of College Dreams:
A Very Brief Biography
Brooke Konopacki is the Vice President for Student Access at Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Madison, Wisconsin.
She travels to high schools and community organizations to speak on access to college, specifically targeted to first generation and low income students and families. She is an active member of both the Wisconsin Association for College Admission Counseling and the National Association of College Admission Counseling.
Comments
Bogus Nominations: Beware!
Brooke points out that college-bound students--and their families--are targets for scammers.
One other that I'd highlight is the organizations that list you as having been nominated for this or that award, but then charge you a fee to be "listed" or to receive the "certification" of that award.
Throw that stuff in the circular file. If you're unsure about it, ask an experienced college counselor (send me an email--I help you sniff out the scammers!).
One of the problems with these bogus awards is that the organizations that plan to fleece you of $50 or $60 bucks actually enlist unwitting teachers and counselors to "recommend" you to them. The scammers tell the teachers/counselors they want a list of their best students to offer them a prize. Then the teachers dutifully hand over your contact information.
Voilà. A scam is born.
So be careful.
Mark Montgomery
http://greatcollegeadvice.com
Mark Montgomery
Independent College Counselor
http://greatcollegeadvice.com
Some people would just do
Some people would just do anything even though it is already against moral values. Lots of companioes today are scam. There were a great deal of scams that consumers had to endure in 2008, but getting payday loans through Personal Money Store is and was not ever one of them. Payday loan customers are informed upfront and know what they are getting themselves into – like honest businesses do for their customers. However, over this year, some people were looking to reduce their mortgage payments, reconfigure their loans, or even getting government stimulus checks from the government and were victimized by scam artists. Articles have been posted on numerous websites pointing out the scams that were out there this year, and hopefully the attention will help 2009 to be a far safer year. Some things like how the IRS cannot call you, mortgage counselors don't charge fees upfront, and the need to keep an eye on your bills. Check out this article to learn more about payday loans and avoiding deceptive practices.
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